University of Calabar Student Receives Three-Year Jail Term for Internet Fraud
In a recent development, a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has handed down a three-year prison sentence to Peter Againpriye, an undergraduate at the University of Calabar, for engaging in internet fraud.
The charges brought against Againpriye by the Port Harcourt Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) include impersonation, obtaining money through false pretenses, and possessing fraudulent documents. These offenses are in violation of Section 1 (1) (a) and are punishable under Section 1 (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud-Related Offenses Act.
The spokesperson of the EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, issued a statement on Tuesday, shedding light on the case. According to the statement, Againpriye, also known as Diana Wilson, defrauded an individual named Keess Darr of €3,000 by falsely claiming to invest the money in Forex. The defendant pleaded guilty to the charges and was subsequently convicted on July 17, 2023.
The arrest of Againpriye took place in June 2023 during an operation called “Eagle Sweep” at Golf Estate, Port Harcourt. The investigation revealed that the convict was extensively involved in internet fraud, creating multiple Gmail, Instagram, and Facebook accounts to deceive Keess Darr under the persona of Diana Wilson.
Justice E. A. Obile presided over the case and handed down the judgment. The defendant received a one-year prison sentence for each of the charges, with the option of a N50,000 fine for each count. Additionally, the court ordered the forfeiture of the confiscated iPhone 12 Pro Max and iPhone XR to the government.
This verdict serves as a reminder of the serious consequences that await those involved in fraudulent activities online. The EFCC continues its efforts to combat internet fraud and safeguard individuals and businesses from falling victim to such scams.
